Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Orange and Jicama Guacamole

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I am a huge fan of my basic guacamole. It is a dish that I am constantly making during the summer. It’s such a cinch to whip up and it is always tasty. It doesn’t last very long around here. Sometimes we need to mix it up. Sometimes we need to experiment. I mean no disrespect to my trusty basic guacamole but once in a while we need to leave the tomatoes behind. So, I came up a guacamole that is a little unexpected, and maybe a little crazy. I promise that it is scrumptious, and that’s all … [Read more...]

Roasted Chickpeas with Indian Spices

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If you’re like me, or pretty much anyone else in the world, then you love crunchy, salty snacks. Such as crackers, chips, popcorn…the list goes on. We know these snacks aren’t healthy for us, yet it’s so hard to stop eating, especially once you start. The crunch is so satisfying, the saltiness is so addicting. Your hand just keeps reaching for that tasty, crunchy snack. Am I making you hungry for a bag of potato chips yet? Don’t reach for them, don’t do it! Instead make these crunchy, salty, … [Read more...]

Taco-Stuffed Potato Skins

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If you are watching the World Cup nonstop, you need delicious, filling finger food that you can enjoy while you are cheering for your country to win. There is no time for a formal sit-down dinner this month, not when the World Cup only comes every 4 years! So, I created these filling, delicious, meal-in-one, taco-stuffed potato skins. Yes, they may take a little time to make, but if you plan ahead you can be right back to watching the World Cup with a taco stuffed potato skin in your hand. … [Read more...]

Broccoli and Cheddar-Bacon-Quinoa Bites

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This past weekend Paul and I went on a weekend getaway to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time exploring a new city. For me, breakfast is a huge topic. I absolutely believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is how you start your day off, and it is up to you to kick-start your day in a healthy way. This, in my opinion, makes a total difference in how well my day turns out. Our hotel offered a complimentary breakfast, which is great to take … [Read more...]

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

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This weekend is our one year wedding anniversary! Paul and I seriously don’t know where this first year has gone! It feels like we got married just yesterday; I suppose that’s a good thing. Paul and I got married at a gorgeous little winery in Iowa set among rolling hills. The ceremony and reception were both outside on a sunny 75 degree day. It really was perfect! To celebrate our anniversary I wanted to make one of our favorite foods we served at our wedding:  bacon-wrapped dates. They … [Read more...]

Artichoke and Fennel Caponata

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Have you ever been asked by a friend to bring an appetizer to a party and didn’t want the challenge of keeping a hot dish warm while transporting it? This is a huge challenge for me, especially since a lot of times we are traveling an hour away for family gatherings or friends’ get-togethers. In these situations my go-to-recipe is usually hummus. It’s simple to make, easy to transport and is delicious at room temperature. As much as I love hummus and can eat it every day, I like to mix things … [Read more...]

Marbled Tea Eggs

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Marbled tea eggs (aka China tea eggs) are something I discovered several months ago and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. What are marbled tea eggs?  They are hard boiled eggs that have been steeped or simmered in black tea, soy sauce, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon, star anise, fennel, cloves, and peppercorns.  The result is a beautiful marbled-looking egg that tastes salty, sweet, and spiced all at once. Marbled tea eggs are a favorite food in Asian countries. In China they are … [Read more...]

Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushroom Caps with Fennel and Sage

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Stuffed mushroom caps are the perfect appetizer. They are cute, bite-sized and versatile.  You can stuff them with crab, breadcrumbs, cheese; there are so many combinations. Generally when I have eaten stuffed mushrooms it has been a scrumptious breadcrumb mixture. Although the breadcrumb mixture is a classic option, why not make stuffed mushroom caps a little healthier? Why not make them gluten-free? The solution: save the stems of the mushrooms and throw them all in a food processor to chop … [Read more...]